KUALA LUMPUR: Four new senators have been sworn in at the Dewan Negara on Saturday (Dec 3) following their appointment as ministers in the Cabinet under Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

They took their oaths of office before Dewan Negara president Tan Sri Dr Rais Yatim here at 8.30am.

They are Pakatan Harapan secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who will lead the Home Ministry, and Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, who was appointed as International Trade and Industry Minister.

Also taking the oath of office as senators were Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Zambry Abd Kadir, who will helm the Foreign Ministry, and Syariah Chief Judge Datuk Dr Mohd Na'im Mokhtar, who was appointed Religious Affairs Minister.

Saifuddin Nasution, Zambry and Mohd Na'im are new members of the Dewan Negara while Tengku Zafrul was re-appointed upon the consent of Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.

In his speech at the ceremony, Rais called on all senators to re-examine the list of collective tasks for their respective Key Performance Indicators beginning 2023.

"Let's reinvigorate the proposed parliamentary institutional reform to fulfil the responsibilities entrusted to us," said Rais, who congratulated the senators on their appointment.

He also congratulated Anwar on his appointment as the 10th Prime Minister on Nov 24.

"Hopefully Malaysia will continue to move forward under Anwar's administration," he said.

Rais also conveyed his appreciation to former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. – Bernama